In Ireland, 80% of people on the autism spectrum are unemployed, and it can be very difficult for them to find employers who can accommodate their special needs.
A new initiative is looking beyond the challenges of people with autism and focusing on harnessing their abilities.
Nick Rankin works for technology firm SAP in Dublin.
The 30-year-old is on the autistic spectrum, as are around 1% of the population, but he’s one the lucky ones with a job.
Despite earning an honours degree in computer science, he initially found it difficult to get a job, and he was on disability benefit.
Then he heard about the Autism at Work support programme and he’s now an IT trouble shooter.
Nick has sensory issues and only wears tracksuits and trainers.
He says traits like this can make it difficult for people with autism to even get past the interview process.
His managers say it’s been easy to accommodate his special needs – and highlight what he brings to SAP.
Nick has now bought a house – and would love to see more firms giving people like him opportunities.
